n an industry like domestic work, which is even less regulated, the conditions for harassment are ripe. Domestic workers in Chicago have started to speak out about their experiences, like being groped by clients and subjected to exposure, derogatory language and sexual requests.

The success of any lasting movement formed from these protests will rely on us using our skills and investing time in helping to create systems to ensure the accountability of both migrant sending and receiving governments.

As the nation marks Equal Pay Day -- the average date into 2013 women must work to make what men earned in 2012 -- we must recommit ourselves to closing the wage gap. Americans must be about respecting women in deeds, not just in words.

California law actually provides fewer protections in the domestic work industry than most other areas of employment. The Domestic Worker Bill of Rights would level the playing field and make life safer and healthier for domestic workers.